In Memorium: Roger Moore (1927-2017)

This is a tough day for James Bond fans as the third incarnation of classic spy James Bond, Roger Moore, has passed away at the age of 89 after a short battle with cancer.

Born in Stockwell, London in 1927, Moore was the only son of Lillian and George Moore, a policeman. After attending grammar school, Moore went on the prestigious College of the Venerable Bede at the University of Durham but dropped out to study acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1946 Moore was conscripted into the Royal Army Service Corp where he eventually ascended to the rank of captain.

Moore experienced a film career that spanned eight decades appearing first as an extra in 1945’s Caesar and Cleopatra at the age of seventeen. His last film was 2011’s A Princess for Christmas. Besides his cinematic exploits, Moore was also known for his television acting, appearing in T.V. series such as Ivanhoe, Maverick, and The Alaskans. However, in television he’s probably most well known for his lead role as Simon Templar on The Saint, which ran for six seasons spanning 118 episodes.

Undoubtedly Moore’s quick wit and charisma helped prepare him for his big break as James Bond, when in 1973 he made his debut in Live and Let Die. Roger would go on to play Bond in six more films, concluding with 1985’s A View to a Kill.

After his run as 007 ended, Moore began to focus more on his charitable work for UNICEF in the 1990s which eventually earned him the rank of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2003.

In his personal life Moore married four times. He had three children by his third wife Luisa Mattioli-Christian, Deborah, and Geoffrey. Mattioli and Moore divorced in 1996. Moore is survived by his children and widow Kristina Tholstrup.